Chapter 83
Autumn waters and reeds, frost-covered forests, the locust blossoms have long since fallen, and the ginkgo trees along Chang'an Avenue and in the neighborhoods are slowly turning yellow.
As the sun set, the street drums sounded, and pedestrians on the main street quickened their pace. Chang'an was under a curfew at night; once the gates of the wards were closed, no one was allowed to linger outside. Violating the curfew could result in being beaten to death by the Marquis of Wu.
As the sound of drums echoed through every neighborhood, the main streets outside the neighborhoods quickly became deserted, but inside the neighborhoods, the lights were on and the atmosphere was lively with music and singing.
On Chongrenfang North Street, in front of the Xiao family mansion, carriages and horses came and went in an endless stream.
One by one, the young men in fine clothes alighted from their carriages, exchanged pleasantries for a moment, and walked inside chatting and laughing.
They all came to visit Chief Minister Xiao.
Every month, Xiao Jijiu would invite his favorite students to his residence to critique their writings and discuss current events. These students considered it an honor to attend Xiao's banquet.
This month, the epiphyllum in the Xiao family mansion is about to bloom. Knowing that Xiao Jijiu is fond of epiphyllum, the students suggested that they have a candlelit talk while admiring the flowers. Xiao Jijiu readily agreed, and this banquet was held in the evening.
Fan Hui, dressed in a brocade robe with a string of beaded unicorns, rode a dappled horse to the gate of the Xiao residence. As he dismounted and handed the whip to his attendant, his gaze was drawn to a figure walking towards him from the opposite direction.
A young man wearing an old blue robe strode towards this place from the direction of the gate. His head was covered in sweat, indicating that he had walked a long way.
Fan Hui's classmates also looked at the young man, whispering among themselves and letting out knowing laughs.
"Did Wei Mingsu walk over here?"
"He had no horse and no money to rent a car, so he had to walk!"
"How stingy!"
"This kind of person doesn't deserve to be our classmate at all!"
"How could the teacher accept this poor scholar as a student? Can he even afford the tuition?"
"It's all because Madam Xiao pleaded for him, saying that the Buddhist scriptures he wrote were efficacious..."
The group chuckled softly, "So even the master is afraid of whispered rumors..."
As they were talking, Wei Mingsu walked over and greeted everyone.
A look of disdain flashed in everyone's eyes.
A young man surnamed Wang asked with a smile, "Brother Wei, where are you from?"
Wei Mingsu said, "We came from Xiaqu."
Young Master Wang looked surprised and said, "Brother Wei, you've walked such a long way, you have great stamina!"
The people around laughed.
Wei Mingsu raised his eyes and glanced at them.
Young Master Wang winked at his friends and smoothed things over, saying, "Let's go in quickly, don't keep the master waiting."
The group entered the mansion and drank tea with Chief Minister Xiao. The banquet began, and Chief Minister Xiao asked everyone to discuss the "Song of Tilling the Soil." The group argued over the last line, "What use is the emperor's power to me?"
Wang Gongzi believes that "The Song of Tilling the Soil" depicts the pastoral life of ordinary people in a peaceful and prosperous era. People work at sunrise and rest at sunset, without worries or anxieties. Who would envy the power of the emperor?
The students at the banquet all agreed with his point of view, feeling that the folk song praised the simplicity of rural life, the beautiful life of the people in a prosperous era, and their optimism and tranquility.
When it was Wei Mingsu's turn to express his views, he said that although the folk song was simple, it had a profound meaning and embodied the governing principle of "governing by doing nothing".
Everyone was taken aback.
Wei Mingsu continued, “When the world is at peace, politics are stable, and government orders are effectively implemented, the people can live and work in peace and be self-reliant. Therefore, I believe that ‘imperial power’ is not ‘the power of the emperor,’ but rather the emperor’s governance. The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important. The sage’s governance is to act without acting, to govern without disturbing the people, so that the people can exclaim, ‘What does imperial power have to do with me?’”
Fan Hui was somewhat surprised after hearing his words. After a moment of contemplation, he agreed with Wei Mingsu's explanation even more.
Xiao Jijiu did not comment on their answers, but let everyone discuss it among themselves. Everyone expressed their opinions and argued until they were red in the face.
The sky quickly turned dark. Xiao Jijiu led everyone to admire the epiphyllum. Everyone held candlesticks and recited poems to the snow-white epiphyllum. After returning, they continued to discuss "The Song of Tilling the Soil".
After the banquet, everyone went to their guest rooms to rest. Fan Hui reflected on Wei Mingsu's words and found his point of view increasingly reasonable.
The steward helped lead the way to him.
Wei Mingsu's residence was not far from the Xiao residence.
He frequently visited the Xiao residence to help Madam Xiao write scriptures and to instruct the Xiao siblings on calligraphy. Madam Xiao paid him for this, so some people ridiculed him as being half servant and half disciple in the Xiao residence.
The steward led Fan Hui to Wei Mingsu's residence.
An oil lamp was lit inside, making the room very dim.
Wei Mingsu sat by the window writing Buddhist scriptures.
Fan Hui walked in, glanced around the simple room, and said, "Why is it so dark? Can you even read the words on the Buddhist scriptures?"
Wei Mingsu got up, opened a box, rummaged around inside for a while, took out a few short candle stubs, and lit them.
With the light brighter, Fan Hui could see that the box was full of candle stubs, which Wei Mingsu had apparently collected. He frowned and asked, "Why did you keep these?"
Wei Mingsu said, "These are still usable; it would be a waste to throw them away."
Fan Hui, whose family was extremely wealthy, said casually, "How can these candle stubs be used? Just throw them all away."
The wealthy and powerful, along with officials and tycoons, lived extravagant lives and were fond of holding grand banquets. These banquets were brightly lit with candles; not only were candles burned in every room, but also from the vermilion gates to the inner chambers of the women's quarters.
In the courtyard, there were servants and ladies holding lotus petal candlesticks to light the way for the guests, using hundreds of candles in a single night.
Wei Mingsu sensed the disdain in Fan Hui's words and said, "Brother Fan, even an ordinary candle costs several hundred coins."
Fan Hui paused for a moment, then glanced around Wei Mingsu's room, his gaze landing on Wei Mingsu's old robe. He blurted out, "I knew you were poor, but I didn't expect you to be this poor!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Fan Hui realized his abruptness and was so embarrassed that he couldn't speak. He wished he could disappear into the ground.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Brother Fan," Wei Mingsu said calmly, showing neither anger nor embarrassment at being told he was poor by his classmate. His gaze was open and frank. "Brother Fan, what brings you here so late at night?"
Fan Hui thought he would turn hostile and was ready to run away, but upon hearing this, he was stunned for a moment, secretly relieved, and stayed.
After a long conversation, Fan Hui couldn't help but look at Wei Mingsu with new respect, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time.
The next day, Fan Hui told the others what had happened the night before.
He and his classmates remarked that Wei Mingsu was indeed a person of genuine talent and learning, and that Xiao Jijiu must have truly appreciated this student to have accepted him as a student.
His classmates, however, were more interested in Wei Mingsu's candle stubs.
The news spread quickly, and soon after, even Chief Minister Xiao knew that Wei Mingsu was reluctant to use candles, so he specially sent him two and said some encouraging words about "being poor but having a strong will".
A month later, Xiao Jijiu took his family to Wangchuan for a short stay and invited several students to join him at his villa.
Fan Hui and Wei Mingsu were both among those invited.
The maple leaves in the mountains are all red, and the autumn colors are bright and colorful.
In the morning, everyone read books, and in the afternoon, they accompanied Master Xiao to the mountains to enjoy the autumn scenery. In the evening, the teachers and students returned and sat under the trees to drink tea, while Master Xiao commented on everyone's articles.
That day, after reading Wei Mingsu's article, Chief Minister Xiao smiled and nodded, saying, "Not bad."
Everyone looked at Wei Mingsu.
His invitation to Wangchuan by Chief Scholar Xiao was already unexpected, and Chief Scholar Xiao often praised his writing, which made everyone very resentful.
How can someone of humble origins be on equal footing with these noblemen?
One of them whispered a few words, and the other students chuckled.
Just then, the steward came over to report something, and Chief Minister Xiao got up and went out.
"Brother Wei!"
Some people call him Wei Mingsu.
Wei Mingsu raised his eyes.
Young Master Wang pointed to the lanterns under the eaves and said with a smile, "Brother Wei, I have some unwanted candle stubs here. Do you want them? You can take them all."
A burst of laughter erupted.
Fan Hui felt extremely guilty and regretted talking too much. He returned to his room and instructed his servants to pick out a few pens and send them to Wei Mingsu.
The servant acknowledged, and soon returned hurriedly with a pen, saying, "Young Master, something has happened to Young Master Wei! Young Master Mo says that Young Master Wei stole his things, and now Young Master Mo is leading men to search Young Master Wei's house!"
Fan Hui was taken aback and rushed to Wei Mingsu's residence.
The students all stayed in guest rooms in the detached courtyard; Wei Mingsu's courtyard was on the west side.
When Fan Hui arrived, a dozen or so attendants surrounded several young men in brocade robes with gloomy faces, standing in the courtyard, confronting Wei Mingsu.
Young Master Mo questioned Wei Mingsu: "Do you dare swear that you didn't steal my things?"
Wei Mingsu looked at them and said, word by word, "I have not touched Brother Mo's things."
Young Master Mo sneered: "You say you didn't, but my attendants all said they saw you take things from my room. Are they all lying? Wei Mingsu, we were classmates, I know you were just confused for a moment. I won't report it to the authorities. Just hand over the things, and we'll pretend today never happened."
Several students nearby advised Wei Mingsu: "Since Brother Mo has said so, Wei Mingsu, why don't you return the things to Brother Mo? You just accidentally took his things by mistake, just take them back."
"Yes, we all know you didn't do it on purpose."
"Take it out. Only we know about this. If this gets out and we report it to the authorities, your future will be ruined!"
"Brother Wei, you've studied hard for ten years to get to where you are today. Don't let a small thing cause you to lose something bigger!"
Wei Mingsu shook his head: "I haven't touched Brother Mo's things."
Young Master Mo's face darkened, and he said coldly, "You think you can just say there isn't any? Do you dare let my men go in and search? I'm not targeting you personally; I've searched all their rooms, and now only yours remains!"
After he finished speaking, several of his close associates rushed forward. Three of them blocked Wei Mingsu, while the others rushed into the house and ransacked it.
Fan Hui frowned, stepped forward, greeted the several young men in brocade robes, and asked Young Master Mo, "What's going on? How could you search Wei Mingsu's house?"
Young Master Mo said, “Brother Fan, Wei Mingsu came to our courtyard today. I lost something right after he left. What a coincidence! Moreover, I asked around, and several people saw him acting suspiciously when he left, as if he was hiding something. To prove his innocence, I had no choice but to search his room.”
Fan Hui suppressed his anger and said, "This is the teacher's villa. This matter should be reported to the teacher first, and the teacher will make the decision."
Young Master Mo sneered, "I didn't want to make a big deal out of it and to save face for Wei Mingsu, so I didn't report it to the teacher. Given the teacher's character, what would he do if he knew that Wei Mingsu had done such a petty theft, and even stole from a classmate?"
Fan Hui was speechless.
Xiao Jijiu will punish Wei Mingsu even more severely.
They were still arguing when a servant's voice came from inside the house: "My lord, we've found it!"
Everyone in the courtyard was stunned.
The attendant ran out carrying a box, opened the lid, and shone a lantern inside.
Fan Hui was stunned when he saw what was in the box.
A whole box full of candles.
Reading by oil lamp only costs a few coins, while candles cost several hundred coins each, making them too extravagant for ordinary people. Wei Mingsu usually reads by oil lamp and couldn't bear to buy candles.
Everyone knows this.
How did such a precious box of candles suddenly appear in his room?
Of all the students in the villa, only Wei Mingsu couldn't afford candles.
The chaotic courtyard fell silent in an instant.
A bird call came from the distant mountains and forests.
Fan Hui snapped out of his daze and looked at Wei Mingsu.
Wei Mingsu stood in the corridor, his eyes lowered, looking at the candles in the box, and shook his head: "I didn't take them."
Everyone shook their heads and sighed.
Young Master Mo couldn't help but laugh: "Wei Mingsu, the things were found in your room, so many people saw it with their own eyes, and you still deny it?"
Wei Mingsu looked up: "I didn't take it."
"Still being stubborn?" Young Master Mo's face turned ashen. "Fine, then please invite the teacher over!"
Fan Hui's heart skipped a beat. After hesitating for a moment, he walked to Wei Mingsu's side and whispered, "If we alarm the teacher, this matter will become a big problem... You need to think carefully."
Xiao Jijiu will not protect Wei Mingsu.
He will lose his teachers, his classmates, and his reputation.
Wei Mingsu said without hesitation, "I've thought it through."
Young Master Mo invited the steward over and recounted what had happened. The steward then hurriedly went to report to Chief Instructor Xiao.
Xiao Jijiu arrived at the west courtyard with a sullen face, glanced at the candles in the box, raised his head, and swept his gaze across the faces of several students.
Young Master Mo and the others were all furious, while Wei Mingsu stood on the other side with a calm gaze.
Xiao Jijiu sighed, gestured for the group to come to him, and asked Wei Mingsu first, "The teacher is asking you, did you take these candles from his room?"
Wei Mingsu shook his head: "Teacher, I didn't take it."
"Where did this box of candles come from?"
"The students don't know either."
Xiao Jijiu frowned, remained silent for a moment, then turned to look at Young Master Mo and ordered his servants to come over so he could investigate personally.
Although Chief Minister Xiao didn't want to make a big fuss, the commotion still got out.
Hearing that Wei Mingsu had stolen his classmate's things, the other students all rushed over to see what was going on.
"I knew this day would come! He's so poor, yet he's with us every day. How could we not be envious?"
"No need to investigate, it must have been Wei Mingsu who stole it, he's just poor."
Just as chaos was raging, a burst of laughter suddenly came from the top of the wall.
"Wow, there are so many people! Why is it so lively today?"
The young woman's voice was clear and melodious.
The noisy chatter in the courtyard suddenly fell silent.
Everyone looked up.
A figure leaned against the wall, peering curiously into the courtyard, a bright and radiant smile on their face.
The students were stunned.
"Wei Mingsu, Third Sister is here to see you again."
A student walked up to Wei Mingsu and said with a smile, not hiding his schadenfreude.
Wei Mingsu stood in the corridor, with his classmates pointing and gossiping behind him, and his teacher in front of him questioning Young Master Mo's servants with a stern face.
Lu Huaying also came.
He didn't turn around.
A moment later, a series of worried exclamations suddenly rang out behind me.
"Third Sister, be careful!"
The crowd parted to both sides.
Wei Mingsu heard footsteps.
The young woman jumped down from the wall, walked quickly over, passed by him, and stood in front of Xiao Jijiu. She pointed to the box of candles on the ground and said, "Wei Mingsu did not steal anyone else's candles."
Everyone stared at her in disbelief.
Young Master Mo snapped out of his daze and said, "How do you know he didn't steal it? It was found during a search of his house!"
Lu Huaying turned around, glanced at Wei Mingsu, smiled sweetly, and said reproachfully, "Because this is a gift from me to him."
Everyone was stunned.
Young Master Mo was also taken aback, then exclaimed, "Impossible!"
Lu Huaying put away her smile, turned to look at Young Master Mo, and said, "The things I gave Wei Mingsu were not just this box of candles, but also writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones. The brushes are from Yuzhang and are engraved with the characters of Yuzhang. Only our family has this kind of brush."
She glanced at Fan Hui. "Young master, please go to his room and look for it. It's in the box hidden behind the bookshelves."
Fan Hui and several students
When Sheng came to his senses, he went into the room and found a box and a pen engraved with the inscription "Yu Zhang". He then presented it to Xiao Jijiu.
Lu Huaying said, "The candles, writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone were all gifts I gave to Wei Mingsu."
Young Master Mo said coldly, "You're lying. If you sent it, why didn't Wei Mingsu admit that the candles I found earlier were his?"
Lu Huaying sighed, glanced at Wei Mingsu, and showed a sad and disappointed expression: "I admire Wei Mingsu and gave him gifts, but he refused to accept them, saying that we cannot exchange gifts privately. So I had to sneak these things into his room when he was not around, hoping to tease him."
She turned to look at Chief Instructor Xiao.
“I asked Steward Liu from the manor to deliver these things to Wei Mingsu’s room. You can invite Steward Liu over and ask him.”
Xiao Jijiu's face stiffened.
There's actually a traitor in the villa!
That's a problem! His wife wasn't strict in managing the household, and he was negligent in doing so as well.
Xiao Jijiu ordered his servants to summon Steward Liu.
Manager Liu ran over, saw Lu Huaying, and immediately knelt down to confess, saying that he had taken several strings of cash from Lu Huaying to help her hide candles, writing brushes, ink, and stationery in Wei Mingsu's room.
Xiao Jijiu was furious and ordered the steward to take Steward Liu away.
Young Master Mo looked at Lu Huaying, his expression growing even colder.
Lu Huaying smiled and said, "Young Master Mo, don't worry, it's just a few candles. Maybe you've misremembered where you put them. Go back to your room and look for them; perhaps they're still there."
Young Master Mo's expression changed slightly.
Fan Hui's eyes darted around, and he said, "I'll go and take a look at Young Master Mo."
He immediately led his men to Young Master Mo's room, opened the door, and saw a box of candles at the foot of the bed, just like the one found in Wei Mingsu's room, a box full of candles.
The group looked at each other and laughed: "It turns out that everything that happened today was a misunderstanding!"
Young Master Mo's gaze was gloomy.
Chief Minister Xiao was in a hurry to deal with Steward Liu. When he saw that the candles had been found, he asked Young Master Mo to apologize to Wei Mingsu and make the two shake hands and make peace. He also called Lu Huaying over and earnestly advised her not to continue making trouble.
Lu Huaying smiled and walked out under Xiao Jijiu's reproachful gaze.
A figure stood under the ginkgo tree, his back to her. The night wind blew, and a few yellow leaves drifted down and landed on his shoulder.
Lu Huaying walked over and said with a smile, "Wei Mutou, I helped you today, so you owe me a favor."
Wei Mingsu turned around, his gaze falling on her face, but he remained silent.
Lu Huaying asked, "Did you offend that guy surnamed Mo? Why would he frame you?"
Wei Mingsu lowered his eyes: "How do you know he's framing me?"
Lu Huaying couldn't help but smile: "You didn't do it. He's so suspicious. He must have framed you."
Wei Mingsu looked at the shadow on the ground: "Why didn't you ask me first?"
What if he did it?
Lu Huaying smiled, stood on tiptoe, blew away the yellow leaves on his shoulder, and said, "Do I need to ask? I believe you. I know it wasn't you who did it without even asking you."
Wei Mingsu raised his head.
He gazed at the deep, dark night, without looking at her.
All I could hear was her laughter.
Lu Huaying leaned closer and asked, "Wei Mutou, if I give you something in the future, will you accept it?"
The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were indeed given to me secretly.
Wei Mingsu shook his head.
“I have no relation to Third Sister, but I appreciate her kindness,” he said calmly. “You don’t need to give me anything.”
Lu Huaying rolled her eyes at him.
If she hadn't suddenly decided to visit him at the Xiao residence today, his reputation would have been ruined.
He still didn't appreciate her kindness.
She said, "Even if you don't accept it, I'm still going to give it to you!"
I'll get you something nice to eat tomorrow.
The next day, a basket of tangerines appeared in Wei Mingsu's room.
Now that everyone knows Lu Huaying took the initiative to give him the gift, they are even more convinced that last night was a misunderstanding. Seeing the yellow tangerines, they were filled with envy and jealousy: "Brother Wei, this is a tribute! Third Sister is truly devoted to you."
Wei Mingsu did not touch the yellow tangerines.
The tangerines were transported from the south to Chang'an. To prevent them from spoiling on the way, each one was coated with wax, and they didn't spoil even after a long time.
Wei Mingsu did not eat.
They didn't throw it away.
He just watched.
He could only watch.
...
Night had fallen.
Wei Mingsu opened his eyes.
The room was filled with the aroma of tangerines.
I never knew tangerines were so sweet.
He turned to the side and lowered his eyes.
Lu Huaying was already asleep.
This wasn't the first time Lu Huaying had treated him to tangerines.
She probably doesn't remember.
He can't forget it.
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